With twenty 26 inputs and twenty eight outputs, Focusrite’s Clarett 8Pre X Thunderbolt interface is ideal for the Recording Studio. It includes eight newly-designed Clarett mic preamps accessed direct from the front panel, plus class-leading digital conversion and millisecond-level low round-trip latency – so low that DAW plugins can be used while monitoring recordings: for example to add reverb in the headphones for a vocalist.The interface comes with 64-bit AAX, AU, and VST compatible Red 2 and Red 3 plug-in suite.

The new Clarett mic pre offers very low noise (EIN-128) and distortion, and also includes the switchable “Air” effect that models the sound of Focusrite’s renowned ISA transformer-based preamps. It also features gain controls with a special law that makes changes smoother and more natural.

Focusrite has been known for top-quality digital conversion for almost as long as it has been respected for its microphone preamps, and the Clarett 8Pre X is no exception. Featuring the latest in Focusrite precision digital conversion, 8Pre X’s 192k Hz/24-bit converters deliver up to 118dB (A/D from mic pre) / 119dB (D/A line out) real-world dynamic range.

The front panel also features two ¼" TRS headphone outputs with separate volume controls. A dedicated gain control, a +48V phantom power switch, a phase reverse switch, and a high pass filter switch is provided for each microphone preamplifier. A six-segment multi-channel LED meter provides visual feedback, as well as a level control, a dim button, and a mute button.

Full I/O complement

26 audio inputs and 28 outputs within a 2U rack space, including eight analog inputs, 10 analog outputs, stereo SPDIF I/O and 16 channels of ADA T I/O. The additional ADAT output is ideal forsending audio to an external D/A for line output expansion, while the input can be used, forexample, to bring in eight additional digital mic pre channels for maximum flexibility.

Digital sync on-board

Includes Word Clock In, enabling it to sync to word clock from any external digital device.

Flagship Clarett 8PreX designed for permanent professional studio install

New 64-bit AAX, AU and VST compatible Red 2 and Red 3 Plug-in Suite

Detailed metering

All expandable over ADAT

Includes MIDI I/O, Getting started guide, No Thunderbolt cable included.

Specs:

I/O

2x TRS Headphone Outputs

2x TRS Instrument Inputs

8x TRS Line Inputs

8x XLR Microphone Inputs

8x TRS Line Outputs

2x TRS Monitor Output

1x WordClock Input

1x WordClock Output

2x ADAT Optical In

2x ADAT Optical Out

1x SPDIF In

1x SPDIF Out

1x 5-Pin MIDI In

1x 5-Pin MIDI Out

1x Thunderbolt

Sample Rates

44.1. 48, 88.2, 96, 176.4, 192 kHz

Microphone Inputs

Frequency Response 20 to 20,000 Hz ±1 dB

Dynamic Range 118 dB (A-weighted)

THD+N 0.001%

EIN -128 dBU (A-weighted)

Maximum Input Level +18 dBu

Gain Range 57 dB

Line Inputs

Frequency Response 20 to 20,000 Hz ±0.1 dB

Dynamic Range 116 dB (A-weighted)

THD+N 0.005%

Maximum Input Level +26 dBu

Gain Range 57 dB

Instrument Inputs

Frequency Response 20 to 20,000 Hz ±0.1 dB

Dynamic Range 111 dB (A-weighted)

THD & Noise 0.001%

Maximum Input Level +14 dBu

Gain Range 57 dB

Outputs

Dynamic Range 119 dB

Dynamic Range 117 dB

Maximum Output Level +18 dBu

THD 0.007%

Headphone Output

Dynamic Range 112 dB

THD & Noise 0.0008%

Maximum Output Level +16 dBu

Clarett Windows Compatibility

Windows: Focusrite Control 2.1.4 (beta)

10/11/2016:

Introduces support for the Clarett range on Windows

For installation and getting started information, please see this article. For compatibility information, please see their OS Checker.

Please Note: Although this software has been tested internally, beta software may still contain some defects. Please only install this software if you are interested in testing the new features introduced in this update, and if you are willing to report the results (and any defects) back to us. We typically advise against installing any beta updates if you're looking for mature versions of our software, or if you're using your Focusrite product on a time-critical project. If you have any problems, please contact Technical Support.

This version gives the option to install both the Clarett Thunderbolt driver (version 4.25.0.335) and the Scarlett USB driver (version 4.14.0.158).

- Cubase 8.5 crashes after the save when closing down a project with MIDI tracks.

- Driver installer optimisations

Due to the vast range of possible hardware combinations, their approach for Thunderbolt support on Windows is to qualify specific systems. They are currently testing with the following machines:

HP ZBook

Molten Technology Intel X99 based machine

Lenovo Thinkpad W541

Unlike USB or Firewire protocols, Thunderbolt hardware and drivers require approval from Intel and Apple. Their assertion is that once they have a fully tested driver it will work with all other approved Thunderbolt systems. Although they would like to, it is impossible for them to test every Thunderbolt ready PC in the field, which is why they need to rely on this assertion to a certain extent.